Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 07:19 PM.

During discussions at the Monday workshop, Commissioner Jimmy Talley introduced a new standard to the city, general qualifications for the position of fire chief.

“If we ahead of time say this is what we want … when ISO, the health department or the state comes in they don’t come to us and say, ‘Here’s a $10,000 fine because y’all didn’t obey the law,’ ” Talley said.

Chief Donnie Boyer was set to formally resign today, although Assistant Chief Michael Laramore has been the acting as chief for about a week. Talley said he tried to introduce the guidelines previously when the position changed hands to Boyer but received similar criticisms.

“We’ve got qualified people already,” said Mayor Ralph Hammond. “I’m not going to change qualifications right in the middle of trying to hire a new fire chief.”

Qualifications Talley presented include 10 years experience as a certified firefighter, five in a supervisory position as lieutenant or higher; a diploma or equivalent; accountability procedures; biological waste disposal procedures and an associate degree in fire science.

Laramore, considered the frontrunner for the job, said he would exceed current standards and attempt to get the accreditation.

During discussions at the Monday workshop, Commissioner Jimmy Talley introduced a new standard to the city, general qualifications for the position of fire chief.

“If we ahead of time say this is what we want … when ISO, the health department or the state comes in they don’t come to us and say, ‘Here’s a $10,000 fine because y’all didn’t obey the law,’ ” Talley said.

Chief Donnie Boyer was set to formally resign today, although Assistant Chief Michael Laramore has been the acting as chief for about a week. Talley said he tried to introduce the guidelines previously when the position changed hands to Boyer but received similar criticisms.

“We’ve got qualified people already,” said Mayor Ralph Hammond. “I’m not going to change qualifications right in the middle of trying to hire a new fire chief.”

Qualifications Talley presented include 10 years experience as a certified firefighter, five in a supervisory position as lieutenant or higher; a diploma or equivalent; accountability procedures; biological waste disposal procedures and an associate degree in fire science.

Laramore, considered the frontrunner for the job, said he would exceed current standards and attempt to get the accreditation.

“Anybody can go back to school and get the certification,” Laramore said. “I don’t mind getting the certification. It’s not an issue for me.”

Commissioners must have the additional firefighters in place by June 1 to meet requirements to keep the city’s ISO rating from increasing from a 6 to a 10. ISO rates fire departments for insurance purposes; the higher the number, the more property owners will pay.

ISO informed the city the Springfield Fire Department’s staffing levels and trainingwere inadequate and the department’s Public Protection Classification would be downgraded, a trend Hammond predicted will spread to other cities in Bay County as their inspections come around.

Hiring six firefighters has increased the city’s budget for fire services by about $477,000, and commissioners voted in March to levy a special assessment fee on property owners to pay for the measures. For each tax parcel, 62 cents per $1,000 of the value of improvements (not land value) was approved, plus $88.31 per tax parcel.

Commissioners also discussed the role code enforcement should play in the city.

“I would like to be able to release the code officer to go out,” Hammond said. “I would rather have one mad individual than a whole neighborhood mad.”

Code enforcement is currently reactive, Hammond said, responding to complaints as they are reported by citizens.

“He should be on the street rather than sitting there waiting for someone to call,” Hammond said.

Commissioners Monday also discussed an ordinance stating the areas within the city where homeless shelters could not be placed. Commissioners will meet to discuss exact boundaries at the next workshop but will vote on a moratorium against homeless shelters during the next meeting.

The commission is set to meet May 6 at 5 p.m. to vote on auctioning surplus vehicles, appointing the civil service position, code enforcement issues. Firefighter appointments will be announced at a special meeting May 13 at 9 a.m.

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